This Newsletter is to bring those who did not attend the AGM (19 people made it) up to date on the 2011 season.

Returns 2011: First thanks to those of you who got their returns to us promptly, however 13 Senior members, 1 Intermediate member and 2 Juniors failed to get their returns in on time.

The catch returns for 2011 were as follows:-

5 Salmon of which 3 were returned - 60%
25 Grilse of which 16 were returned – 64%
211 Sea trout/finnock all returned -100%
75 Brown trout of which 50% were returned.

It was not a good season, indeed the count over the dam was a third down on last year. However it was good to see the rise in sea trout numbers and the brown trout catch was surprisingly high.

Trophies: The Trophies for the 2011 season were awarded as follows:-

1. The Matheson Trophy for the largest fish was won by Lee Martin with a 15lb salmon
2. The Tom Mightens Cup for sea trout was won by Dave Sellers with a 3.25lb sea trout
3. The Fergusson Trophy which is for sea trout caught by juniors was not awarded – you need a sea trout of over 1.5lb to win this and yet again nobody managed this.
4. The Tom Fraser Cup (heaviest fish in Competition) was won by Karl Brocklehurst

Permit Fees: Fees for the 2012 Season will be as follows:-

There will be no change for Club Permits which remain as follows:-

Senior Permits £65.00.
Intermediate Permits (age 16 to 21yrs) £20.00
Junior Permits £10.00
Associate Permits (for those who live without the Highland & Islands) £100.
Senior Citizen Permits remain free (though donations are encouraged)

The joining fee for new members remains at £15.00 for Seniors. Juniors and Intermediates do not pay a joining fee. Senior Citizens have responded well to the request for donations, so our thanks to all of those who have donated.

Permits will be available at the end of January however if people want in to give them as Christmas presents we can provide a letter confirming membership. Members have until 31st March to renew their membership.

Permits will continue to be sold by our Membership Secretary, John Szarkiewicz and can be obtained by post (please enclose a stamped addressed envelope) or in person from
18 Croyard Drive, Beauly.

Day & Firth Tickets : Day tickets will increase to £20.00 and will be on sale at the Lovat Arms Hotel, Beauly. Firth Tickets remain at £45.00 for the Season and £20.00 for a week. They will be on sale at Grahams, Castle Street, and Inverness and at the Lovat Arms Hotel.

Conservation Policy: The AGM discussed the Fishery Board’s Conservation Policy and decided not to revise our catch and release policy. So anglers may keep the first fish caught and return the second. There has been some confusion over this, so to clarify this runs on throughout the season – one returns the 2nd fish, the 4th fish and so on no matter when they are caught. For instance if you catch a fish in May and keep it and catch your next fish in June it is still your second fish and still due to be returned.

Fishery Board Levies: Paul Pacey reported that the Fishery Board intended to continue to raise Levies to cover both their own fee and a donation to the Ness & Beauly Fishery Trust. The meeting was not happy with this. The Fishery Board is convinced that they are operating within the law and that they have the right to do this. However even if this was the case, and there is certainly some dispute as to whether it is, it is not reasonable that the Board should decide how much the Angling Club should donate to a charity, which is what the Trust is. This was left to the Committee to resolve.

Farewell: This is my last Newsletter – in future they will be produced by Euan Robertson.

Have a great Christmas and New Year

Wendy
harpe@dsl.pipex.com